Thursday, December 29, 2011

December 2011

This year the Carpenter family of 5 started the Christmas season off on December 11th by getting their picture taken with Santa at Bass Pro. The kids had a blast on the wild life carousel and Daddy had a great time spending his Bass Pro gift cards! Here are the fun pics we got!



Though December is the season of Christmas, it is also Mommy's birthday! My sweet friends and I were trying to find a night where we could all go out and celebrate, but being a December birthday it was looking like it wasn't going to happen. Until finally I said, hey what about tomorrow night! Luckily, 4 out of the 7 of us could make it. I had a great time with my sweet friends Johnell, Audry and Teresa. I was given the cutest sweater, earrings and sweet CeCe's gift card (boy, these girls KNOW me!). I was also given another treat from the staff at Tito's!







On December 18th, the Washed By the Water Family had a Christmas party at the Pettus' house.The kids had a ball with crafts while the adults had fun with an awesome dirty Santa game. But, it really didn't matter what we did, we had a great time being together.










On Tuesday, December 20th Allendale had its annual Christmas caroling time as a school. Chloe performed with the 3rd grade chorus and Mommy performed with a group of teachers. Here is a picture of Santa and Ms. Claus breaking it down!
That night, Chris took me out for my birthday. We had an amazing time and an AMAZING meal at Stoney River Steak house! Sweet Rita and Leroy had the kids and were going to keep them all night for us, but Chloe got sick and we wanted her home with us. (We are definately looking forward to a raincheck though!)

This year it was time for Santa to come to OUR house Christmas morning. We started our own tradition Christmas eve by singing Christmas carols and reading a child's bible and a grown up bible about the story of Jesus' birth. Then off to bed to wait for Santa! On Christmas morning, the house looked beautiful with all his goodies under the tree. The girls were so excited about their new electronics. Koda was just happy to have some choo choo trains!








After we had opened all of the goodies from Santa and Mommy and Daddy, we packed some food and clothes in the van and headed to Belleview to have Christmas with the Carpenters. We didn't take a lot of pictures, but we had a lot of fun and a LOT of yummy food! Koda was hilarious as he "modeled" his new sweatshirt from Mindy and Phil. We laughed as he tried to figure out if his new 53 inch bear was real. It was such a great Christmas being with Rita, Leroy, Mindy and Phil opening gifts, eatting breakfast (and lunch) and watching a Dolphin's Tale.


























Then, on December 26th, we headed to Arkansas for another Carpenter Christmas with Alan, Deanna, Emma, Izzy, Leroy and Rita. Little did I know I had a birthday celebration waiting for me as well!







Look at my lost tooth Darlin!

Then on December 27th, we loaded the van and headed for Bartlesville, Oklahoma to see Grammie, Paw Paw, Kendra and Devin! As soon as we hugged and kissed hello, the Christmas presents began to open!































The kids were so excited about their gifts...and so were Mommy and Daddy! We opened a "gift card" from Mom and Dad for a new KING mattress. I cannot wait for movie night in our room!


This year, the boys decided to take a "guys trip". Dad, Chris and Devin went East and saw the world's tallest totem pole, the Will Rogers museum, Grand lake, and other "guy stuff".





We had many special memories this Christmas.






One of my personal favorites was spending two nights with Devin, Chloe and Cami creating Devin's lego scene. I don't know who was more excited to see it completed, Devin or me!




Well, it is after 1:00a.m. It is time to go to bed. Until January...or New Year's Eve :)